Back again. I’ll start with some question from Roy.
What say you about Tryon?
I say I love him. Both the stats and the eyeball test gave him high marks this season and, if the Colts’ corners are healthier this year, they would have the advantage of playing Tryon in more advantageous matchups. And he only cost a seventh-round pick.
Chances of Kevin Thomas becoming a player?
Good, if he can stay healthy, Thomas has strong measurables and good football sense. Going by his college tapes, he’s strong in press coverage and is probably the most skilled blitzer the Colts have had at the position in my memory. His best skill is open-field tackling, so at worst he helps on specials. I see him as competing for the No. 4 spot in 2011 and maybe starting in 2012.
Your thoughts on why Hughes has such a inactive rookie season?
He had a hard time adjusting to the Colts’ rather complicated defense – many players, like Fili Moala for example, take a year to master it. It’s hard to make much of an impact as a pass-rushing end with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis taking so many snaps. I would still rank him as a top prospect, but I have to admit my confidence that he’ll break out has dimmed a little.
In other news:
While other Colts – like Austin Collie – are rehabbing at or ahead of schedule, Jamie Silva’s ACL is still a big problem. That only underlines the Colts’ need for an immediate upgrade at strong safety. Although Iowa’s Tyler Sash makes a ton of sense, I really like North Carolina’s DaNorris Searcy (left) and there's another safety prospect listed below who deserves a look-see from all Colts fans.
There's a persistent rumor that Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris will sign with the Colts when the lockout ends. That scenario is kind of like being bitten by a piranha while swimming in a lake in Minnesota – it’s not theoretically impossible, but we all know it’s not gonna happen.
If you look at the players who the Colts have visited and scouted you can get a pretty good idea of who they’re going to draft and where. It’s not that they will draft any of these guys, but if they look at four first-round-level left offensive tackles, you can expect they will at least consider a left tackle in the first round. The number beside the player is his ranking on the NFLDraftScout.com database.
Quarterbacks
56 Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada
63 Andy Dalton QB TCU
297 TJ Yates QB North Carolina
Analysis: Kapernick and Dalton have about the same value, but for different reasons. Kaepernick is a big arm and Dalton is a big producer. Either could become an NFL starter, with Kaepernick having a higher ceiling and a much lower floor. Yates is an under-rated prospect who sees the field extremely well, but doesn’t have the arm strength or athleticism to transcend.
Halfbacks
441 Chad Spann HB North Illinois
Analysis: Spann’s a back like I like ’em – short, wide and productive. Still, he’s a third-day pick at best.
Fullbacks
Analysis: None? Interesting.
Wide receivers
44 Leonard Hankerson WR
49 Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy
601 Jarred Fayson WR Illinois
Analysis: I’m surprise – well, not surprised but disappointed – that the Colts are looking at receivers high. Hankerson is a great talent, but not the kind of natural football player and hard worker who could replace Reggie Wayne. A nice addition? Yes. A future No. 1? Probably not. Jernigan makes more sense, not as a No. 1, but as a slot/halfback/return guy who can score from anywhere. Fayson’s a project who hasn’t developed in part through hard luck.
Tight ends
Analysis: None? Interesting.
Centers and Guards
228 Jake Kirkpatrick C TCU
301 Ryan Bartholomew C Syracuse
667 John Gianninoto G UNLV
Analysis: Same ol’, same ol’. Both Kirkpatrick and Bartholomew are smart, hard-working but limited players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either suit up with the ol’ horseshoe.
Offensive tackles
14 Tyron Smith T USC
22 Derek Sherrod T Mississippi State
24 Nate Solder T Colorado
630 Matt Murphy T UNLV
Analysis: Hmmm, there are five left tackles considered worthy of first-round consideration, and the Colts have dined three of them. Note that the three are all extraordinary athleteic specimens for their size and position and are known more for pass pro than run blocking.
Defensive tackles
29 Phil Taylor DT Baylor
400 Zach Clayton DT Auburn
448 Frank Kearse DT Alabama A&M
728 Teryl White DT North Carolina Central
Analysis: Ordinarily, I’d be delighted that the Colts are looking at a 350-pound first-round nose tackle, but not this year, there’s too much of a need at offensive tackle. Clayton is more of a 3-technique, but Kearse is another monster. I’d like to see a big guy here and it may, for once, actually happen.
Defensive Ends
7 Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson
45 Brooks Reed DE Arizona
591 Marc Schiechl DE Colorado School of Mines
Analysis: Forget Bowers. Reed would disappoint me a great deal. Not that he’s a bad player, just that he’s not what they need. Schiechl is a lottery ticket.
Inside linebackers
Analysis: None? Interesting.
Outside linebackers
Analysis: None? Interesting.
Cornerbacks
99 Johnny Patrick CB Louisville
NL Prathon Wilkerson CB Albany State
Analysis: Patrick’s a talent, but I’m not sure they need him. Wilkerson is an interesting small school talent.
Safety
145 Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple
Analysis: Undersized, but otherwise just what they need.
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